Blood pressure is the measure of the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. The heart pumps blood into the arteries (blood vessels), which carry the blood throughout the body. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the body and contributes to hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, and to the development of heart failure.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

The exact causes of high blood pressure are not known, but several factors and conditions may play a role in its development, including:

• • Smoking
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Too much salt in the diet
  • Too much alcohol consumption (more than 1 to 2 drinks per day)
  • Stress
  • Older age
  • Genetics
  • Family history of high blood pressure
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Adrenal and thyroid disorders

Who Is More Likely to Develop High Blood Pressure?

• People with family members who have high blood pressure
• Smokers
• Pregnant women
• Women who take birth control pills
• People over the age of 35
• People who are overweight or obese
• People who are not active
• People who drink alcohol excessively
• People who eat too many fatty foods or foods with too much salt
• People who have sleep apnea